Wireless Wednesday for 7/15/15: Using Tech to Stay Cool and Protect Yourself in the Heat

If you haven't noticed, it's been hot out.  Temps in the 90s and maybe we are heading to triple digits.

Technology can be used to keep you cool and protect yourself from the sun.
For those playing sports, being spectators at sporting events and concerts... this is critical

Keep safe this summer... and listen and learn

1.  Nuun - powdered hydrating beverage

Nuun is optimal hydration for athletes everywhere. You're always active, and your water should be too. Leading the way in portable hydration, Nuun has optimal electrolyte levels to make the most of your water. In the form of small tablets that disintegrate your water Nunn provides the necessary electrolytes and more you need while on and off the course and field of play.

Nuun Active and Nuun Energy contain an optimal blend of electrolytes (Na, K, Mg, Ca).

Nuun is used by athletes across many sports. In addition to Davis Love III, many players on the PGA Tour use Nuun to stay hydrated. Keegan Bradley, Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald, Charl Schwartzl, Jason Day and Adam Scott are just a few players that represent the brand --- without being paid.
 

2. Coconut Water... many athletes swear by it before, during and for recovery after competition.

ZICO Coconut Water

ZICO coconut water has five key electrolytes: sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. These elements work together to support your body with what it needs to stay hydrated, especially on a warm day on the golf course. ZICO’s products, which are gluten-free, lactose-free, and dairy-free, contain as much potassium as a banana. Zico Natural is 100 percent pure water from hand-harvested Thai coconuts. Fruit, chocolate, and latte-flavored varieties are also available for ZICO, and they all taste great!
 

3.  Clothes that breathe or keep you cool

Gone are the days of wearing those heavy cotton shirts on the tennis court or golf course.
It's all about new high tech materials that keep you cool in the hot weather and are light and airy.
Adidas makes a "ClimaCool" line, Under Armour makes a "Cold Black" line worn by Jordan Spieth and Nike makes "Dri-Fit" apparel.
 

4.  Mission EnduraCool™ Instant Cooling Towel

The Mission EnduraCool™ Instant Cooling Towel is made from a proprietary performance fabric that instantly cools when soaked with water, wrung out, and then snapped in the air to activate the cooling properties. The proprietary technology works by absorbing moisture and perspiration into the fabric core where the unique radiator-like fiber construction circulates water molecules and regulates the rate of evaporation to create a prolonged cooling effect.

$14.99 at www.missionathletecare.com

 


5. Under Armour UA Core 2.0 Sunglasses

Starting at $104.99 to protect your eyes
Under Armour's UA Core 2.0 sunglasses are loaded with features and a favorite of athletes all over the country.


The Core 2.0 model are diamond rated and offer maximum comfort with their three-point grip with adjustable nose pads and temples. A bonus cap gripper gives you a secure fit when the glasses aren't in use and worn upside down on the cap.

Even with all these features, the look and stylishness of the sunglasses are not lost.



App of the Week:

Tuber: The YouTube Companion [FREE]

Many of us just want to quickly watch our YouTube subscriptions — and nothing else. Sponsored or recommended videos can not only miss the mark, but the fact that in order to get to our subscriptions we are first presented with what many would  rather not see is annoying. Tuber is a YouTube client that fixes that, as it takes you to your subscription feed off the bat — with a pleasant and efficient interface to boot! There were easy ways to mimic this on the official client, but this is an app solution that will most likely remain stable and functional throughout time and updates.

 

Wireless Wednesday for 7/8/15: The Best Gadgets So Far in 2015

We are at about the half way point of 2015 (can your believe that) and some of the tech gadgets Rick saw at CES in January are starting to filter out and others have magically appeared.

Let's take a look at some of Rick's favorite things so far in 2015

Have a listen to both parts

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 7/8/15 - 2015 Gadgets’ on audioBoom

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 7/8/15 - Part 2 2015 Gadgets and Jaha App’ on audioBoom

1. Grovemade Laptop Stand

Elevated stand improves ergonomics, promotes organization, & welcomes an aesthetic boost to workspaces
·         Skillfully crafted by molding multiple sheets of wood veneer into a continuous and graceful curve
·         Angled platform improves ergonomics, provides ample surface space, and creates an area for stowing away laptop accessories
·         Features a precision cut stainless steel stop, lined with premium vegetable tanned leather, preventing laptops and other devices from sliding off the stand
·         Works in unison with the Desk Collection, bringing order and design continuity to workspaces
·         Each stand is individually hand sanded and finished with natural oils
·         Universally compatible with all laptop models
·         Available in Maple & Walnut hardwoods
·         100% conceptualized, fabricated, and constructed in Portland, Oregon
Available at: Grovemade.com
Price: $119
Website: www.grovemade.com

2.  Grain Audio: Wooden Over Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones blend comfort with craftsman-style design and superior sound quality
·         Headphone components include 2x40mm proprietary loudspeakers featuring Neodymium magnets and a CCAW voice coil
·         Ear cups made of sustainably sourced solid walnut wood with hand-applied oil finish
·         Plush ear cushions are designed for a noise isolating immersive experience without sacrificing comfort or sound quality
·         Inline mic and remote are included for intuitive playback options and taking calls
·         Distinct wood grain patterns means each set is truly unique
Available at:  GrainAudio.com, UrbanOutfitters.com, Amazon.com
Price: $199.00
Website: www.grainaudio.com

3. Logitech Wireless Keyboard K400 Plus

“The living room is a place where we come to relax, entertain ourselves and connect with friends and family,” said Charlotte Johs, global vice president of computer peripherals at Logitech. “The Logitech Wireless Keyboard K400 Plus makes it easy to connect your PC to the TV and search for Internet content.”

The fantastic Bluetooth range of 33-feet and quck to the touch keys. The keyboard feels good in your lap and it didn't take long to become familiar with the size and layout. it has all the keys you are used to using on a normal keyboard and media keys to help you control all the gadgets in your living room, right from your couch or favoritechair. Logitech brags about battery life of about 18 months and if that is the case, this keyboard could quickly become a couch potato's best friend.
retail price of $39.99, and worldwide in July.

http://www.logitech.com/news/K400Plus

 
4.  Bemo - Social Media Camera

- something else from Logitech
 Capture & Share any moment
    Meet bemo, a simple pocket-sized video camera that allows you to be in and capture every moment, anywhere
    Shoot high quality video with one touch: 8 MP lens for clear, sharp videos including time-lapse video
    Wirelessly sync videos to your iPhone for easy edit & share on the go with the Bemo App
    Mobile control: trim, re-order, add titles and music to videos then share via text, email or social media from your iPhone
    Durable and water resistant with a soft touch finish

Share on the go
Now you can share the moment with family, friends and fans while you’re still in the moment. With one touch, The Bemo Social App shares your video via email, text or upload to Facebook, your Youtube channel, Instagram or other favorite social site. It’s never been so simple to go viral.

5.  ScoreBand Pulse Laser Rangefinder and the whole range of Scoreband products
- great pricepoint  $179.99

www.scoreband.net

For golfers.... a high tech gadget that gives the distance to the front, middle and back of greens as well as the exact distance to hazards and the flagstick. Many of these rangefinders cost in the $350-500 range, so for most, it's not an impulse purchase.
I haven't seen the words "affordable" and "laser rangefinder" in the same sentence or paragraph ever- but I'm going to do it now!
The ScoreBand Pulse is a compact laser rangefinder and it's affordable, with a retail price of  $179.99.

“With 400-yard range and pinpoint accuracy, the performance of the ScoreBand Pulse is equal to any rangefinder on the market, and it far exceeds the competition in the value it delivers,” said Jody Murdough, ScoreBand president.

They also make other products that help you keep score and track trends while playing sports
 

***  Bonus if time permits... also one of Rick's favorite..

The Epson M-Tracer Golf Swing Analyzer

See Rick's review here:

http://www.examiner.com/article/epson-m-tracer-golf-swing-analyzer-gives-data-to-the-determined-golfer?cid=db_articles


App of the Week:

Jaha   -  Free for IOS

"A Fitness Friend Finder"

For anyone looking to meet up with others in their area for sports and fitness activities, Jaha, a new iOS app that launched today, is the easiest way to bring people together.  Jaha is a location-based app that helps find others in the users’ neighborhood to exercise, play a sport or work-out, together.  With Jaha, it is easy to find a running/hiking partner, a tennis game, a fourth player for golf, a pick-up basketball/soccer/volleyball game, a yoga/Pilates partner, or another person for any other sports and fitness activity.  Users fill out a profile section to identify their interests and can interact with other people to connect to participate in sports activities together. Jaha is the app where fitness people meet.

 

Wireless Wednesday for 7/1/15: Ford F150 Platinum

The Ford F150  - The hottest vehicle in Atlanta  -  Rick's been driving it for the past week
 
Following the debut of the all new F-150 a little more than a year ago, many speculated whether consumers would embrace an all aluminum body truck. After all, the F-150 has been America’s number one selling vehicle for more than three decades and the company was certainly taking a risk altering the formula that had brought such sustained sales success.

However, the early results are in and it’s clear the launch has been an extraordinary success. In more than 20 key regions representing all corners of the United States, sales of the F-Series trucks in the first three months of 2015 exceeded totals from the same period the year prior, including Atlanta where we saw an increase of 21.30% this year compared to the same time last year.

The F150 Platinum is high tech on the outside and on the inside.

Have a listen:

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 6/24/15 - Ford F150 Platinum’ on audioBoom

 

1.  Much of this technology is used for safety... Ford F-150 has the most available driver-assist technology in the large light-duty pickup segment.

a.  Class-exclusive 360-degree camera with split-view display: Available 360-degree camera with split-view display uses four exterior cameras to give the driver a bird’s-eye view of up to seven feet surrounding the F-150 to assist in parking, maneuvering in tight spots and navigating narrow roads and trails at low speeds. 

The camera is really amazing.  It's like having an HDTV right on the dash
 
b.  Lane-keeping system: Available lane keeping is designed to help prevent a driver from drifting outside of the intended driving lane. The system automatically detects the left- or right-hand road lane markings using a camera mounted between the windshield and interior rearview mirror. A vibration in the steering wheel is used to alert the driver. The system can also provide steering torque to help guide the vehicle back into the lane if needed.

 
2. Ford Collaborates with Silicon Valley Innovation Ecosystem on Autonomous Vehicles, 3D Printing, Wearable Technology

a.      Ford announces it is working with Silicon Valley-based 3D-printing firm Carbon3D to quickly produce high-quality automotive-grade parts
b.      Ford kicks off wearable technology development with MyFord® Mobile app extension – coming soon to smartwatches including Android Wear – providing customers the ability to check vehicle driving range, battery charge and more for their plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle quickly from their wrists

3.  Apps for the F150

Further with Ford – is announcing the first smartphone apps to be compatible with AppLink for SYNC 3: AccuWeather, Glympse, iHeartAuto, Pandora, Radio Disney and Spotify. AppLink is a standard feature of SYNC 3 that projects the smartphone app’s information onto the dashboard display and provides a choice of voice recognition, touch screen or steering wheel buttons for control of the app.

Ford was first to bring voice control to in-vehicle apps when AppLink launched for the first generation of SYNC in 2010. The integration is improved with SYNC 3, delivering an experience that is faster, more responsive and user-friendly. AppLink discovers compatible apps on your smartphone and projects their information, including unique graphics and branding on the touch screen display.

Youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V__i63mDp9A

 

4. SYNC 3

The all-new SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system debuts this summer in North America on the 2016 Ford Escape and Fiesta. Pandora, Spotify and Glympse are among the first apps to take advantage of the new capabilities of SYNC 3; additional AppLink-enabled apps will continue to roll out as SYNC 3 becomes available this summer.

Great to have all these apps ready to go for SYNC 3


5.  Something else cool... the "automatic windshield wipers"
They only function when there is moisture or rain on the windshield.

App of the Week:

- Not an app this week, but a Twitter account to follow - especially with all the traffic this weekend with the 4th of July.

Waze's "Unusual Atlanta Traffic" Twitter account

A new Twitter account to help you get around Atlanta traffic
 Unusual Traffic ATL
@WazeTrafficATL
First to report unusual traffic in #Atlanta. Broadcast w/credit to Waze. Partnership requests:
Waze has been a great traffic app for a couple years now.

Feel free to check out www.waze.com
 

Wireless Wednesday for 6/24/15: The Tech News of the Week and More

Rick and Mitch take a look at some of the top tech stories of the week...

And we are less than a week until Wimbledon:

Have a listen to both parts:

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 6/17/15 - Tech News of the Week Part 1’ on audioBoom

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 6/24/15 - Tech News of the Week Part 2’ on audioBoom

1. E3 Wraps up in Los Angeles  -  (Electronic Entertainment Expo)

- The big video game convention that is held each year
- Video game industry is a $10.5 billion dollar industry

One of the most exciting E3s in recent memory. No new consoles, but lots of actually exciting sequels, ideas, games and cos-players.Microsoft won over many fans by promising it would be making the most of the games for its previous console, the Xbox 360, playable on the newer Xbox One. Sony's announcement of a remake of 1997's "Final Fantasy VII" drew rapturous applause. But there are still plenty of eye-catching new titles on the horizon, from the universe-spanning "No Man's Sky" to the down-and-dirty brawler "For Honor." Even established properties like "Fallout" and "Call of Duty" have some new tricks up their sleeves.
 


2.  School Lunch Program Scans Student Thumbprints For 'Tracking Purposes'

Gone are the days of punch cards or however else schhol lunches were tracked

A school district in Pennsylvania is providing free lunches to schoolchildren as part of an initiative to improve nutrition. Instead of providing the lunches to all students without question, they made the program opt-in. Since not all students get the lunches, they needed a way to track who was getting them. Officials decided the best way to do so would be to invest in biometric software that scans students's thumbprints every time they pick up lunch. The data collected by these scanners goes not just to the school district, but to the federal government as well.
 

3. Most People Don't Know How to Fix their Gadgets

- Especially young people

Young people have become a lost generation who can no longer mend gadgets and appliances because they have grown up in a disposable world, the professor giving this year's Royal Institution Christmas lectures has warned. Danielle George, Professor of Radio Frequency Engineering, at the University of Manchester, claims that the under 40s expect everything to 'just work' and have no idea what to do when things go wrong. Unlike previous generations who would ‘make do and mend’ now young people will just chuck out their faulty appliances and buy new ones. But Prof George claims that many broken or outdated gadgets could be fixed or repurposed with only a brief knowledge of engineering and electronics.
 

4. Taylor Swift takes on Apple and Wins...

- Think Taylor Swift has some power?

Pressure from musician Taylor Swift has forced Apple into an about-face on Apple Music, its new streaming music service. After Swift slammed the tech titan in an open letter Sunday, Apple quickly shifted position on Apple Music, announcing that it will now pay musicians royalties during the service’s free 3-month trial period.

Unveiled earlier this month, Apple Music aims to ramp up the competition with the likes of Pandora and Spotify. The service will be available June 30 as a free 3-month trial, after which a $9.99 monthly subscription fee will apply.

However, the Apple Music payment model has prompted the displeasure of Swift, who took aim at the tech giant Sunday in a Tumblr post titled “To Apple, Love Taylor”.

 
**Rick's opinion on music streaming services...

**** 5.    Just for Mitch  -  Researchers Claim a Few Cat Videos Per Day Helps Keep the Doctor Away

A study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior suggests that watching videos of cats may be good for your health. The study pinged nearly 7,000 people and asked them how viewing cat videos affected their moods. Of those surveyed, over a third (36 percent) described themselves as a "cat person" and nearly two-thirds (60 percent) said they have an affinity for both dogs and cats. Survey subjects noted less tendencies towards feeling anxious, sad, or annoyed after watching cat videos, including times when they viewed the videos while at work or trying to study.
 

App of the Week

Eat This Much
Free for iOS

Description

Put your diet on autopilot with Eat This Much. Tell us your diet goals, the foods you like, your budget, and what your schedule looks like, and we'll automatically generate a complete meal plan to meet your targets. It's like having a personal diet assistant.

We offer both free accounts and premium accounts. As a free user, you can create a day's meal plan and completely customize it however you want. Each meal can have different preferences, and your nutrition targets can be whatever you like.

As a premium user, we'll automatically generate a week of meal plans and send them to you with a grocery list via email. As you follow the plans, you can track what you did or didn't eat, and if you deviate from the plans, we make it easy to readjust your targets for the next week to stay on track. Try out the free account to see if our meal plans appeal to you, and upgrade when you're ready.

- Follow any eating style or create your own
- Hit your macros and calorie targets every day
- Empower yourself with automatic control over your diet
- Take the anxiety out of picking what to eat
- Personalize any of our recipes and they'll replace the original
- Reduce food waste

Wireless Wednesday for 6/17/15: Elkhart Lake and Last Minute Father's Day

Rick and Mitch take a look at "Last Minute Father's Day Gadget Gift Ideas"

Father's Day is just a few days away..

But first... Rick is up in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin this week at Road America.  

Road America is one of the premiere road racing tracks  in the world. It has hosted races since the 1950s and currently hosts races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Tudor United SportsCar Championship, SCCA Speed World Challenge Series, ASRA, and AMA Superbike series. Open-wheel racing journalist Robin Miller says that Road America is "the best test of road racing in North America"

 

Have a listen:

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 6/17/15 - Elkhart Lake and Last Minute Father's Day’ on audioBoom

Last Minute gadgets for Father's Day

1.  Kensington International Travel Plug Adapter with USB Charger

($29.99)

Charge your devices in more than 150 countries with this all-in-one travel plug adapter. This compact and portable adapter offers every plug you'll ever need built right in, so there's nothing to lose no matter where you go. Simply charge your devices via USB or a wall outlet, choosing the appropriate plug with the push of a button. It's the simple solution for charging your iPhone, iPod, tablet, camera, and much more.

 


2.  Coolcore hat from Imperial

$30-40
Imperial is known around the world for making quality hats. Now they have technology in their hat to keep you cool.

Coolcore® provides a cooling solution that extends beyond traditional moisture-management fabrics or evaporative cooling technologies that typically rely on chemicals. It's 100% free of chemicals, polymers, gels, crystals or phase changing materials, ensuring all Coolcore® benefits never wash out or degrade. And, Coolcore® fabrics deliver three distinct functions, including moisture wicking, moisture transportation to accelerate drying, and regulated evaporation for a cooling effect. The result is up to 30% lower surface temperatures, drier garments that don't cling or saturate, healthier chemical-free usage, and zero degradation of the cooling effect over time or washing. Coolcore® is the only company globally to receive the "Cooling Power" award from Hohesntein.  

"Imperial's new cooling technology has the potential to change the headwear business," said Laura Robinson, Director of Retail at Pinehurst Resort. "The Pinehurst team saw their demonstration and we were all amazed at how this can be incorporated into headwear designs. Imperial impresses me with their innovation in the accessory category."
Available at Amazon and check retailers
 

3.  Wilson Custom Football

$39 - $79

Wilson has a new customization site that allows fans to create a fully personalized replica game football that's been handmade by the craftsmen and craftswomen at Wilson's Football Factory in Ada, OH.

Custom Father's Day balls can be ordered until June 15 with guaranteed two-day shipping.  But you can also order for other life events. For more information on how to create your own custom football, please visit http://www.wilson.com/custom/balls/football/fathers-day/index.html#/custom-football-types.
 
 



4.  LucidBrake - for bikers

$74.99

www.lucidbrake.com
Visible up to a ½ mile away, the LucidBrake smart ultra-bright LED brake light provides safer biking so cars, other bikers, and pedestrians can see you braking, slowing down, or stopping -- even at a distance. LucidBrake detects and shows motion with 8 LEDs that  blink as you move and alert solid when you stop (just like a car’s brake lights), showing the difference between slowing down and abruptly stopping with 4 beacon modes (flashing, fast flashing, solid, off) and 2 braking indicators (sudden and normal).  The smart brake light detects slow and stopping motion using all 3 axes of acceleration signals (right/ left, up/down, backwards/forwards), filtering out road bumps, grades, angles, and normal cycling movements.
 
LucidBrake can be used on bikes, boats, jet skis, skateboards, wheelchairs, scooters, helmets, and even  backpacks.

 

5.  Vice Golf  -  Personalized golf balls for Father's Day

www.vicegolf.com  and www.golfballs.com

Starts at $13.90 per dozen
Look what they did for Rick..

 
What would they put on a ball for Mitch?



** App of the Week**

Pictyear

Free for iOS devices

App will eliminate the hassle of organizing photos and creating albums.

1.     The most collaborative photo app that allows creating a photobook with family, friends or solo

2.       Create one or multiple albums as you shoot/ on the go and save it for later photo additions or edits

3.       When the event or season is over, the photo book is done—without the drudgery of sorting through dozens of images.

4.       Integrated camera feature that allows users to shoot and immediately “swipe up” on images they like to add them to a photo book and quickly create a beautiful album.

5.       Pictyear users simply shoot and immediately “swipe up” on “keeper” images to quickly create a beautifully designed photo book

6.       Pictyear offers contemporary photo book designs with intuitive tools and text that quickly customize photos and page layouts